Improvement in self-measuring faucets



NITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELISHA L. SPENCER, 0F MILLVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE HALF HISRIGHT TO THOMAS T. SMITH, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN SELF-MEASURING FAUCETS.

Specification forming part of Lette'rs Patent No. 208,645, dated October1, 1R78; application -liled August 23, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, ELIsrIA L. SPENCER, of Millville, Worcester county,Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvemeis in Self- MeasuringFaucets for Oil-Tanks, and I hereby declare that the followingspecification is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, andthe accompanying drawing is an illustration.

The object of this improvement is to expedite and simplify the drawing,measuring', and delivering of kerosene-oil, or any other liquid to bedealt out in specified quantities without drip or smell, and with theleast possible manipulation.

My invention consists, primarily, in a faucet formed with two lateralconnecting-tubes and a vertically-movable tubular valve, perforated atintervals and plugged between the eentral and lower perforations, forthe purposes stated.

My invention also consists in the combination, with such faucet, ofcertain apparatus, as recited in the appended claims.

Figure 1 illustrates, in vertical section, my improved faucet as appliedto an oil-tank with iixed measuring vessels, showing the valve open fordischarge from the `measure. Fig. 2 represents the position of the partswhile the measure is being illed.

A is the body of the faucet, and B C the lateral tubes, preferablyformed integral with the body, and at about the angle thereto indicatedin the drawings. The tube B is intended to enter the bottom of the tankD, as shown, and form an outlet therefrom for the liquid, and thetubeGis both aninlet to and an outlet from the measuring-vesselE, whichis securedto said tube.

F is a tubular valve, 'having a vertical or longitudinal movement in thebody of the faucet, and operated by any suitable means adapted to raiseand lower it. The particular apparatus for this purpose (shown in thedrawing) is analogous to that described in the patent for a gage-cockgranted to Wm. Andrews, March 7, 1876, No. 174,344, consisting ofalever, Gr, pivoted loosely to the upper end of the valve-stem, andconnected by a pivoted link, H, with a projection, I, on the body A.`

These devices 1 therefore disclaim; nor do I claim, broadly, a tubularvalve with a single series of perforations. I also disclaim a faucethaving merely a rotary or semi-rotary movement to its spigot, myinvention being limited to a device in which a plugged anddoublyperforated tubular valve operates by lon gitudinal reciprocationwithin its casin g, as herein described.

The tube F is perforated at three different points, numbered 1, 2, and3, as shownthe upper and the central series of holes, Nos. 1 and 2,being arranged opposite to the mouths of the tubes B and O,respectively, when the valve-tube is lowered to the position shown inFig. 2. From this relative location of the parts it follows that the oilor other liquid in the tank may ow, by gravity, through the tube B andperforations No. 1 into the valvetube, thence out through the centralperforations and tube C into the measuring-vessel until it is filled.

If preferred, the apertures numbered 1 and 2 may be elongated or mergedtogether, so as to form one series of openings only, and the operationwill remain the same; but as such construction tends to weaken thevalve-tube, l do not recommend it.

The-oil is prevented from escaping by means of a plug, K, below thecentral orifices in the valve-tube.

When the valve is raised by the lever G or otherwise until the plug K isabove and the perforations No. 3 opposite to the tube C, it is obviousthe iow of oil from the tank will be cut off, and an outlet from themeasure E will be opened through tube C, apertures 3, and the lower partof the valve-tube. (See Fig. l.) Thus the customers can will receive thecontents of measure E and tube C, which together containma knownquantity within the capacity of the han, and no more can be drawn outuntil the valve-tube is depressed, as before described, to -fill themeasure, and raised again to empty it.

The body A has at its center, between the tubes B and C, a bore justsufficient to receive the valve-tube, and is provided with a leather orother proper packing, L, at its upper and lower ends, making a closejoint with the valve-tube, and capable of compression against internalshoulders M by means of the annular nuts N O, to compensate for wear.The nut 0 serves also to cover and protect the lower end of thevalve-tube, and act-s as a dischargenozzle. Between the central part ofthe body A and the upper packing-rings I usually iutroduce a hollowsleeve, P, fitting within the body A and surrounding the tube F, andcast in such form as to leave an annular space, Q, around thevalve-tube, so that the oil flows into or out of the perforations fromall sides. With this construction I generally employ a central packing,L; but it is obvious these features may both be omitted, the annularspace formed in the casting A, and a shoulder provided therein tosupport the upper packing.

There may be several measuring-vessels-as, for instance, pint, quart,half-gallon, and gallon-each provided witha faucet, as described,varying in capacity according to the quantity to be drawn through them.These vessels are preferably hidden beneath the tank, and I give them aconical form for speedy drainage, and also that they may be arranged toradiate from a central point, and have their larger ends next to thefaucets for connection with the tubes C.

Each measure is provided with a small veuttube, preferably terminatingin the top of the tank, for the escape or admission of air while themeasure is being tilled or emptied.

By my invention the process of drawing oil from a tank, measuring it,and delivering it to the consumers can is reduced to the meremanipulation of the vertical tubular valve. l

thus avoid entirely lthe annoyance and danger attending the operation asheretofore conducted.

I claim as of my invention- 1. In a faucet or gage-cock, thecombination, with an external shell having two lateral openings only, ofa longitudinally-movable tubular valve, perforated in two or moredistinct planes, as stated, and plugged to close the passage between thelower perforations and the adjacent series of openings, for the purposeset forth.

2. The double-acting faucet herein described, having the body A, thelateral tubes B C, formed integral therewith, and the doubly-perforatedand verticallymovable tubular valve F, constructed and adapted tooperate substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with a tank and a fixed measuring-vessel which has acommon inlet and outlet, of a faucet having a body and two lateralpipes, forming a connecting-passage between said tank and measure, andprovided with a vertically-movable tubular valve, substantially as setforth.

4. The combination of the improved faucet herein set forth, having a longitlnlinally-movable tubular valve, with a tank and measuringvessel, anda vent-tube for the passage of air to and from said measure,substantially as set forth.

ELISHA L. SPE'S() ER.

Witnesses:

A. Il. SPENCER, THOMAS T. SMITH.

